THANK YOU ALL for your prayers and well wishes. I wish I could personally thank each and every one of you, because it really means a lot to have people around during a crazy time, all my friends, even some whom I've have never met or hardly talk to- have OPENED their doors and hearts to me and their hospitality. (Thanks ROBYN!) It truly is a scary feeling to think that everything you worked so hard for can be gone in a flash. I rushed home from work to make sure my grandparents were ok, there were so many police officers and fire fighters all over the place- it literally looked like a scene from a movie. Everything was SO chaotic, people turned streets into parking lots, just watching in horror and feeling so helpless wondering if their property is ok. Everyone was making a mad dash to get away from this area. I know we get that question, "What would you take with you when there's a fire?" (or some other catastrophe), and it's crazy when it happens to you because you really want to save everything and you know you can't. Of course you grab photo albums, pictures, documents, all the important things...but everything I own is important or sentimental in some way. Perhaps because I worked hard for everything I have...MY blood and sweat, it's mind boggling to even think what to take or to leave behind.

The fires are still raging, some have spread, I can see the fires from my house and the smoke is so thick. Some of my neighbors, including us, have gone back to our homes. Luckily the fire isn't right in our backyard, unlike those who live in the other gated community where 10 homes were lost. We packed everything just in case we need to get out again, with these 55mph winds they said embers can fly our way, so I am just keeping a close eye. I have packed a lot of clothes to last a few weeks, shoes, socks, photos, essentials, and yes- even makeup! Hey some of those are LIMITED EDITION items! LOL. But I stored everything in my car just in case I can't come back home later tomorrow.

All the streets around my house were blocked so no one- even residents, were allowed in, the BF tried to get here after work and was unable to so he stayed at his mom's house. I am not sure if it's still blocked but I hope things get better tomorrow and they are able to contain the fires. There are many evacuation sites setup, but not too many for overnight stays, only the Sheperd of the Hills Church near my house. They have setup cots and food for those who have lost their homes or those who were closely affected by these fires.

EDIT:

2,000 acres burned, the house smells like smoke and my neighborhood looks like a ghost town everyone is leaving or has left...

hi vanessa,I understand exactly what ur going through. I live in the next town over in Simi, last year there was a blazing fire right behind my house across the street. I slept with the windows open and had too much smoke inhalation that I had to go to emergency. We also had to evacuate, my dad decided to stay back and spray down our home, it was so scary.

As of now I look outside my window and all i can see is thick layer of smoke. I can only imagine how it is in porter ranch. I pray and hope you an ur loved ones are all safe and well. And I hope nothing happens to your home! My prayers are with u!!!!!

Omg the weather has been sooo crazy lately!! You'll be in my prayers until everything turns out fine. There was a fire in Chino Hills a couple of years back and my cousins had to evacuate because the fire was litterally right outside on their hill, but everything worked out for the best so hopefully nothing happens to your home and you guys will be ok!

Vanessa, take care of yourself and your family. Losing material stuff is a bummer but the most important is your health and of your family's as well. Hope everything goes well, and that nothing happens after all. I would know, living in the fl.keys where every year we have a hurricane season. take care.

i hope you are ok there i leave at reseda and its crazy its traffic everywhere i was going to pick up my mom but @ porter ranch and it's closed by she's ok i hope u are doing good and safe the valley sucks with fire season starts

Between the recent murder, your mom's illness and these fires...wow, you've been hit with a lot recently. I'd just like to add to the chorus of people wishing you well. From your writing on this blog it seems like you have a very positive spirit and hopefully that will help navigate you through these tough times. Best of luck with everything, I hope you and your loved ones are alright.

I pray everything works out well, and may your family have endless strength during this time. We just survived a hurricane so I know the anticipation and frenzy you must be feeling. I wish you and your family safety and remember salvaging your things and your house is great but at the end of the day what matters most is that you have your lives and your health.

...I was hoping to find any new updates on whatever new stuff you might have, I definitely did not expect this. I'm hoping that you, your family and friends are well and that nobody was badly hurt in this accident.XO

i'm glad to here that you and your fam are safe and there isn't much accidents (interms of people) that i've heard of... things can be replaced. but you and your fam can't be!!! i know you'll surpass all this strife, sis! KAYA MO 'YAN!!

oh no! I hope you are doing okay Vanessa..keep safe..I'm glad that at least you have enough time to pack some of your stuffs just in case..I'll be praying for you..God bless sis..I hope everything will be fine and no one will get hurt..

I just got back from taking my daughter to school - last night after the sun had set, I could se the flames. This morning, as the sun was rising, I saw no smoke, and thought it was contained. According to the news, it's still going strong? Sounds like it's moved west to Granda Hills now? Are you now safe, or is everything still the same?

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